Feds arrest 7 accused of marijuana smuggling

Federal agents broke up two smuggling operations over the past week, arresting seven people and seizing nearly 1,700 pounds of marijuana with a reported street value of $2 million.

The first group of alleged smugglers was apprehended along the Miami River on Dec. 11 when authorities reported receiving a tip about a shipment on two boats from Bimini. That morning, federal agents saw the two boats enter the river and dock in front of a North River Drive residence. The agents raided the boats and discovered 90 bales of marijuana hidden in floor compartments. A search of the residence uncovered a hydroponics lab with 15 marijuana plants. A cooler containing more marijuana was also confiscated.

Arrested were three Miami residents who were charged with conspiracy to import a controlled substance and conspiracy to possess and distribute a controlled substance. Their names were not released.

The other alleged smugglers were arrested Thursday when Coast Guard officials intercepted a Bahamian vessel off the Florida coast and found 42 bales of marijuana in the water. Four people were taken off the boat and sent to Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, where they face federal criminal charges. The names were not released.

In a statement, Anthony V. Mangione, who leads Immigration Customs Enforcement Homeland Security investigations in Miami, said he has witnessed a surge in marijuana smuggling through South Florida because of a crackdown on smugglers working the U.S.-Mexico border.

"Historically, South Florida has been at the forefront of all types of smuggling ventures," Mangione said.

In the latest arrests, federal agents teamed up with U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine, the U.S. Coast Guard Seventh District, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Miami police.